Fairly cleanly, is one of those things Roland Burris hopes to look like as he twists and turns and tries to explain his sins of omission.
(Travel Tip Alaska: If they offer a salmon fishing trip in Ketchikan, do it. The cruise line cleans and dresses the fish for you, which you then bring home and bbq to perfection and the delight of your friends and neighbors. I didn't do this--outdoors, too messy for me--but a friend did and the resulting salmon was absolutely delish. Most ships stop near Juneau, with the obligatory and touristy stop for gold panning, and in Sitka, which is an interesting combination of Native American and Russian influences. But wherever I go, I try to eat the native food and root out interesting out-of-the-way places. I swear by the Arthur Frommer guide books and recommend Frommer's Alaska Cruises and Ports of Call. Also, I read as much about the destination as I can before I get there so I have a fairly good idea about what will interest me.)